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17/09/2010

Commission made for a father to give to his 3 year old daughter on his wedding day. It's so tiny - 12cms long with a small extention.

So how did I come by this commision? It was all because of Joanne from Vintage Twee she is one of the loveliest people you can meet. Her work is of the highest standards that I have seen in a long time. Every detail of her work is thought out carefully to show off the vintage paper, lace, designs etc to their best advantage.

Joanne was commisioned to make some vintage items for a couple who are getting married in Stockton on Tees and the gentleman wanted to give his 3 year old daughter something to open on the wedding day and she suggested he speak to me. After a few emails regarding his requirements and me sending him sample pics of my previous work he decided to go with a simple but beautiful bracelet.

You have to really see it so appreciate how tiny and cute it looks. It only measures 12cms from the sterling silver heart clasp to the first ring. I've also added a short extention to this so that it can be made a little bit bigger if needed. It's difficult trying to gauge a size from just the measurements.

17/07/2010

Made for a lady who had only popped into see one of the photographers in one of the other studios. She saw another card I had done with a champagne glass - the beads looked like bubbles coming out of the glass.

25/05/2010

Here are some more ATCs for trading at ArtFest 2010. More abstract this time. Don't know if to add some beads or stitching to them. Will have to see how I feel when I look at them again tomorrow morning.

Last year there was a live meet up here in the UK (myself and Kay organised it) and in the USA and we all had a blast. However this year there is no UK artfest so my friend Kay and I are heading over the pond to New York and then onto Rochester where this years live meet up is being held and I can't wait we have 4 weeks left before we go (fingers crossed the volcano has stopped spewing ash and that BA are not on strike).

Don't think I want to wait another 3 years to go to NY - I was supposed to go for my 40th but it never happened so when this opportunity came along I grabbed it with both hands.

10/05/2010

Woohoo can you tell I'm excited LOL it's not as if I've never had any of my work published before - I've had a couple of my ATC's published in the online ArtTrader Magazine. But this is a first for my jewellery and to have it in such a lovley magazine to.

Here's the full story - I made the beaded bead and updated it on my social networks (facebook, flickr etc) and the comments I received about the bead took me quite by surprise as I was convinced someone had already made something similar. But I was told quite resoundly that no it was my own invention. Then someone suggested that I submitt it to a magazine and having looked (and bought/subscribed) to quite a few magazines I decided to send it to Beads and Beyond as I liked the lovely clean and clear way the article were presented.

So I submitted my tutorial to them a couple of months ago and I received an email from the assistant editor Rebecca Hughes telling me that they would like to publish it in one of their issues......................and here it is in the June issue of Beads and Beyond. I love the way they have done the photographs so much more interesting than mine.

10/04/2010

Right-angle weave also called RAW is another easy stitch to start with. It can be done either with a single or double needle. You can use any type or size of bead as well as combination to create a different effect every time.

Jewellery making is fast becoming an extremely popular pastime as more people are discovering the joy and therapeutic value of handcrafting their own unique pieces. My classes are small (maximum of 6 to 8 people) which means that you receive plenty of attention. You'll be amazed at how much you can achieve in just one day in my studio. Whether you wish to make unique pieces of jewellery for yourself or for loved ones my classes will be tailored to your particular needs.

Spiral Rope Bracelet

This is a really easy stitch to start with and is a favourite with beginners. It is a versatile stitch when done in different combinations and bead sizes it ensures individuality every time.

26/03/2010

Today was the first day of the March Madness discount day and the first time I have demonstrated outside of an organised craft/jewellery event. I was a bit nervous to start of with as I didn't know whether anyone would be interested in a jewellery demo in a retail shop.

Anyway as it happens I had quite a crowd gather in the morning and the afternoon. I had a blast and I think looking at the pictures the ladies who came over and watched (and one lady even had a try at a spiral rope) enjoyed the session and I think I even inspired a couple of the them to get their bead stash out and have a go.

Yay pics of the first workshop that I have hosed in my new studio at Broadstone Mill.

I can't tell you how nervous I was when they first arrived I wasn't sure if the samples I had made would be what they were expecting. After all I was teaching teachers but I think they had a good time. The boys certainly seemed to enjoy making the wirework and bamboo charm/pendants.